Tag: Kyoto

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I’m glad and thankful that this trip pushed through despite my friend and I’s hesitation around 2 weeks prior this trip. I came back inspired and more hopeful for my own country, which is also timely because we have newly elected government officials.

Here are some things that amazed me during our trip:

Their transport system is so efficient. There’s no fear in getting lost because for sure, you’ll be able to find your way back because all train lines are connected at some point.

A friend who worked in Japan before said that the Japanese are hard workers. I have witnessed that personally. They do their work with pride, passion and ensuring that they deliver with quality. Even with the train cleaners, I did not sense any feeling of “ay train cleaner lang ako”.

They are disciplined. Imagine Shibuya crossing. It’s a big intersection but there are no overpasses because everyone just follow the traffic rules. I only saw overpasses in highways. They alight and board only at bus stops. The buses stop only at bus stops. There are seats designated for elders and no one seats there unless s/he’s an elder. One time we did not notice the signage and an elder was strangely looking at us. We realized maybe it was because we were seated at their allotted seat! We stood up right away just to be sure hehe. Buti na lang malapit na kami sa bus stop. Sana ganito rin sa Pinas.

They take advantage of technology for efficiency.

Their attention to the tiniest detail is impressive. Signage in every possible place, baskets where you can place your bags in restaurants, plate especially designed for buffet where it is compartmentalized into small bowls so that food won’t mix up, and the list goes on and on and on.

Their toilets with all those buttons! I want one of those for my own toilet! Heated seat please!

Their parks are really huge and well maintained. Summer na don but all plants are vibrant green pa rin!

I would still like to go back to Japan and experience the other seasons naman. If maganda ngayong summer, I’m sure mas maganda pa sa ibang seasons.

This ends my Japan series of stories. Hope to have another series about Japan in the coming years or even decades if that’s how long it will take me to save up for another Japan trip hehe.

Thank you, Father God, especially for your generous provisions for this trip. I am forever grateful.

*** Text was written at the airport while waiting for our flight back to Manila. ***

Day 4: July 7, 2016

Today, I woke up not feeling well! Kamusta naman yun. Maybe it was due to lack of sleep and tiredness na rin.

We were bound for Osaka in the afternoon so we checked out early and just left our luggage at the hotel lobby and picked it up later.

First stop this day was the Fushimi Inari Shrine. This was one of the shooting locations of Memoirs of a Geisha if I’m not mistaken. Picture picture, especially at the Orange tunnel. As in tyagaan sa paghintay until mawala ang tao just to get the perfect shot. More about the shrine here.

From the shrine, we went to Philosopher’s Walk. Ang hirap namin nahanap itong place na ito. Di namin masaktuhan yung talagang babaan. Nahanap naman namin after going back and forth at least 3 times. Ubusan ng load ng Suica hehehe. At literal na walk ang gagawin mo sa kahabaan nung area. There is a walkway along the creek. Yun lang yung susundan mo. There are also shops selling souvenirs. Based on one of the posters in one shop, mas maganda itsura or mas dinadayo yung park during winter and cherry blossoms season.

Today’s my mom’s 3rd death anniversary. I’ll just see you next month, mudra. Pramis.

Going back.

We checked out from Hotel Mystays in Tokyo and travelled to Kyoto via Shinkansen (Bullet train). From the Kyoto station, we took a bus going to Hotel Mystays in Shijo-Nishinotoin. Checkin then rest for a while before going out.

First stop was at Nijo Castle. Buzzer beater because we were the last batch to be sold tickets to. Nakaka-haggard kasi panay ang reminder over the speakers that the main gate will be closing by 6PM. So mabilisang lakad lang inside the palace and ikot ikot sa garden. They have a vast garden. Gets ko na kung bakit 5PM pa lang, nagreremind na sila about closing time. Sa lawak kasi ng garden, malayo talaga lalakarin mo bago ka makabalik sa main gate hehehe.

From the palace, we went to Nishiki market. Since it was already past 6PM when we arrived, most of the shops were starting to close. Yung tipong while walking, saktong sinasarado na rin ng shop owners ang main doors nila hahaha. Anyway, tingin tingin lang naman balak namin. My friend tried the takoyakowith ice cream. Masarap naman daw.

From Nishiki market, our next target was Pontocho. This is a place where restaurants open up/extend their dining area facing the Kamo River. We got off a bus stop but it was near a shrine naman, whose name I can’t remember right now. We just checked out this shrine for a few minutes. From this area, we saw a river and establishments that look like restaurants so that must be the Pontocho hehe.

From the shrine, we went back to the hotel. Pagod at gutom na. We just had dinner at a restaurant near our place. Medyo nakakatanga kasi you have to order “online” at their computer. No English translation. Nagamit ko pagka software developer ko years ago dahil hinulaan ko lang ang mga buttons based sa placement nila sa screen hehehe. Tumama naman hula ko at nakakain kami ng masarap na dinner hahaha.

End of day 3.

Pictures!

Bullet train. My wish is for my beloved Philippines to also have this type of transport. Tapos una, ung papuntang Baguio please hehehe. Or pwede rin kahit until La Union if terrain is a problem.

This is the entrance to the Nijo Castle taken from the inside na. Ang luwang ng grounds!

This was taken on the left side of the castle, medyo malayo na sa entrance. This was the most decent shot I had pala. Walang panahong maghintay na mawala ang tao since it was already close to closing time. Gaano ka-close? Mga less than an hour, ganon.

Part of their garden. They have beautiful and well-maintained parks. Inggit ako.

Panoramic view of one part of the castle. Again, this so far from the entrance na. The whole area is really huge. And so green :).

Nishiki Food Market. So clean and dry! Halos sarado na lahat.

Shrine near Pontocho.

Lanterns and more lanterns!

Panoramic view of the place where the bells are. The vertical post looking things are actually ropes. People pull those ropes to ring the bell, then say their prayers.